Ryan Mathews continues to make case for RB1 role

Oct 26, 2015

The issue of who should get more carries has become larger and larger as the season has gone on.

Through seven games Ryan Mathews has 342 yards on 56 carries. He has carried the ball over 10 times just once all season, in the team's Week 3 win over the New York Jets, a game Murray did not play in.

DeMarco Murray, on the other hand, has carried the ball 88 times this season, and over 10 times in each of the past three games. Despite getting the ball more, Murray has just 307 yards, 35 less than Mathews.

Fantasy Impact:

It is clear that through seven games Mathews has been the better running back, something that is backed up by both the stats and anyone who has watched the games. Mathews seems faster, more decisive with his cuts and more elusive, a key trait playing behind an Eagles' offensive line that has struggled this season. The Eagles play Dallas after their bye this week and chances are he is going to want the ball against the Cowboys to prove them wrong for letting him walk as a free agent. If Mathews continues to outplay Murray, however, it is going to be hard to justify keeping him on the bench in favor of Murray like the team did on Sunday night.

Apr 17

Chargers to sign RB J.K. Dobbins on one-year deal

Tom Pelissero

Apr 17 · 7:45 PM EDT

Former Ravens RB J.K. Dobbins is planning to sign with the #Chargers on a one-year deal. Electric when healthy, Dobbins — who averages 5.8 yards per carry in his career — reunites with OC Greg Roman and can hit the market again in March.

Related Players: Gus Edwards

Fantasy Impact:

Dobbins has had poor injury luck in his career, but has only managed 234 total rushes since being drafted in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft. This is a low-risk, high-reward move by the Chargers and might give them a runway to wait a little longer in the '24 Draft before they address the position.

Apr 16

Cowboys sign RB Royce Freeman

Todd Archer

Apr 16 · 8:15 PM EDT

The Cowboys have signed running back Royce Freeman to a one-year deal. Freeman had 319 yards on 77 carries with 2 touchdowns last year for the Los Angeles Rams. He was 3rd round pick of Denver in '18.

Related Players: Rico Dowdle, Deuce Vaughn

Fantasy Impact:

Freeman hasn't rushed for 500 yards since 2018, his rookie season. This shouldn't have any impact on the team drafting at the position and/or bringing back Ezekiel Elliott.

Apr 15

Eagles sign WR DeVonta Smith to three-year extension

Ian Rapoport

Apr 15 · 10:45 AM EDT

The Eagles have paid another big-time, rising player. This time, WR DeVonta Smith gets a 3-year, $75M contract extension that includes $51M guaranteed.

Related Players: A.J. Brown, DeVante Parker, Parris Campbell

Fantasy Impact:

Great news for Jalen Hurts and the Eagles offense as a whole. Smith will continue his 1b role in which he finished the 2023 season as fantasy's WR22.